Gj. Schmidt et al., THE SINGAPORE YOUTH CORONARY RISK AND PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY STUDY, Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 30(1), 1998, pp. 105-113
The purpose of this study was to examine coronary risk factors and phy
sical activity patterns of primary and secondary school children in Si
ngapore. Children 6-18 yr (730 boys, 849 girls) were evaluated for ant
hropometry, percent body fat, resting blood pressure, fasting plasma l
ipids and lipoproteins and glucose. A physical activity and leisure pu
rsuits self-reported survey was used to group children into five categ
ories ranging from ''inactive'' to ''vigorous'' activity. The self-rep
orted questionnaire also recorded individual responses to exercise beh
aviors, leisure activities, and participation in organized games and s
ports. Body weight, body mass index (BMI; kg.m(-2)), and percent body
fat were compared by age and gender. The blood analysis showed no sign
ificant differences in boys' and girls' plasma lipid and lipoprotein c
oncentrations. Physical activity was significantly correlated with tot
al cholesterol (r(s) = -0.13, P = 0.018) and triglycerides (r(s) = -0.
18, P = 0.001) for boys and between physical activity with body fat (r
(s) = -0.22, P = 0.0001) and BMI (r(s) = -0.16, P = 0.01) for girls. H
eight, weight, BMI, percent body fat, and blood pressure were greater
for each age to 14 yr, after which there was less recorded body fat fo
r boys. Girls' body fat remained about the same after 14 yr. Comparing
by gender and age, significant differences were found between physica
l activity groups and total cholesterol and body fat. Although few chi
ldren were at risk for heart disease, this study provides baseline cor
onary risk and physical activity data for further longitudinal analysi
s in this population.